At least 51 dead, 20 injured in Iran coal mine blast, state TV says

• Rescue work underway at one of the affected blocks. 
• 20 injured miners being treated at hospital. 
• Accident caused by a methane gas explosion

DUBAI: The casualties from the coal mine explosion in Iran's South Khorasan Province on Sunday soared to 51, state media reported revising the death toll, as some of the injured succumbed to their wounds. 

Currently, there are 20 injured who are being treated at the medical facilities. 

As per the reports, the accident was caused by a methane gas explosion in two blocks, B and C, of the mine run by the Madanjoo company. 

"76% of the country's coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region including Madanjoo company," the governor of South Khorasan Province Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV on Sunday.

The rescue operation in block B has been completed. Of the 47 workers, who were in the block, 30 died and 17 were injured, Rahimi said earlier.

Rescue operations in block C have started. Methane density in the block is high and the operation will take around 3-4 hours, he added.

There were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion, state TV reported.

"Seventeen injured people were transported to the hospital and 24 people are still missing," it said earlier on Sunday citing the head of Iran's Red Crescent.

The explosion occurred at 9pm (1730 GMT) on Saturday, state media said.

President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims' families. "I spoke with ministers and we will do our best to follow up," Pezeshkian said in televised comments.

Pakistan offers condolences 

Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the mine explosion.

He offered his heartfelt condolence to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Iranian people on the loss of precious lives and injuries in the coal mine explosion.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Pakistan stands with its Iranian brethren during this time,” the prime minister wrote on his official X timeline.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

"Tehran is engaged in robust and immediate relief efforts. We stand with great people of Iran," he wrote on his official X account.